Holder: Budget cuts threaten justice system 'integrity'

8/23/13 6:05 AM EDT

Attorney General Eric Holder has joined the judiciary branch’s push against sequester cuts, writing an op-ed warning of the dangers of the cuts for public defenders.

Calling the cuts “draconian,” Holder warned in a Washington Post op-ed Thursday that the funding reductions threaten the very foundation of America’s justice system.

“These cuts threaten the integrity of our criminal justice system and impede the ability of our dedicated professionals to ensure due process, provide fair outcomes and guarantee the constitutionally protected rights of every criminal defendant,” Holder wrote.

He joins a growing call from the third branch of government for Congress to address the funding reductions. Last week, nearly 100 district court chief judges wrote a letter to Congressional leaders sounding the alarm, as well.

Holder urged Congress to restore the funds.

“This shameful state of affairs is unworthy of our great nation, its proud history and our finest legal traditions,” Holder wrote. “It is past time for our elected representatives to act.”